I celebrated 7 decades of help from others with a short talk regarding my gratitude.

1. Grateful 7
Hi All. May I ask for some of your time? Thank you. The real
reason for the get together today is that I have now been on
this earth for 70 years. So, I’ve prepared a 70 minute multi-
media presentation for you. Relax. I’ll take less than 7 minutes
of your time.
I am fond of the number 7. It started long ago in my childhood
days. In the last 7 years or so, long before I even thought
about yesterday and today, I started collecting information
about the number 7, its use in the bible, and its use in
business. I even wrote a book that has 7 in its title. In the
background on the TV monitor, I’ve displayed a collection of
items related to the number 7. I hope you noticed something
that intrigued you. I am certain it was hard to take in the
information in the 7 seconds per slide with the entire deck set
to repeat 7 times. I’ll be posting the slides online if anyone is
inclined to look at it further.
Thank you all for coming. I am grateful that God has been with
me throughout my journey and that he saw
fi
t to introduce me
to you. Each of you has helped me through the years, whether
you are here right now, among those that have already come
and gone, or those that are throughout the world that are not
here today.
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2. Grateful 7
Your help might have been a kind word, a listening ear, a
helpful hand, another way to view a situation, an insight, a
strong handshake, a loving hug. Each of those actions has
touched my heart, taught me something, and made me a
better person. It has enabled me, in turn, to help others. For
all of what you have done, I am grateful.
Let me tell you a story. When Susan and I were
fi
rst married,
she might have said a few times, “I’ll do it when I get a round
to it.” Now, I’ve been known to put my foot in my mouth, say
the wrong things, and do some strange things. Well, I did a bit
of wood working back then and I made a round TUIT to hang
on the wall. 3 years ago I found that carving in a box and took
a picture of it. Susan has since learned to avoid those
fi
ve
words to this day.
BUT, as a token of my gratitude to you, the gratitude bags
available as you go today include something I will bet will help
you remember today. Each bag has a Business Accelerants
poker chip with “Round TUIT” on one side. On the other is
“remember to express your GRATITUDE.” In golf, we use such
chips as markers of where we are on the green. Please use it
to help recall all those that have helped you in life. If you are
so inclined, at some point, pass it on to someone that has
helped you.
I would like to end with a special thank you to my family that
have stood by me through thick and thin, literally, bad Dad
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3. Grateful 7
jokes, and many mistakes. Kim and Matt, Mark and Sarah and
Grayson and Evelyn. But most of all, my thanks to my Pretty
Lady who has stood by me since I was a wee lad in high
school. Thank you My Love. I have just ended my 70th year
on earth and she BEGINS hers in a couple of days. So, I also
wish you a happy birthday. And, a happy birthday to my
grandson, Grayson, who turns, you guessed it, 7 this coming
Thursday.
We hope you have enjoyed the eclectic mix of songs from our
now digital collection of music. I was discouraged to include
my many jazz, classical and other instrumental songs, though
I did slip in one of my favorites of Maynard Ferguson. It won’t
surprise you that the list is 70 songs. We hope you heard
some of your favorites and found yourself moving or dancing
to a few of them.
With that, please enjoy the games, food, music, and take
away items. I must end with seven hundred words.
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